Sedimentary by Susan Gutperl

Sedimentary

Crochet
September 2015
Any gauge - designed for any gauge ?
16 stitches and 10 rows = 4 inches
in double crochet, fingering yarn with 4.5 mm hook
4.0 mm (G)
4.5 mm
5.5 mm (I)
437 - 875 yards (400 - 800 m)
Size can be customized depending on yarn weight and available yardage
English
This pattern is available as a free Ravelry download

Sedimentary rock is best known for the pretty strata that become visible once the rock is exposed to nature’s forces. The formations of stripes and layers of different materials give us a glimpse into our planet’s geological history.

This easy, entertaining small shawl is worked in broad stripes of double crochet and a v-stitch variant building layer upon layer of fabric. The pattern uses only two very basic stitches - double crochet and chain stitch – while still providing ample entertainment by alternating solid and lacy sections.

The pattern includes charts for two different shapes. Version A is a more or less symmetrical version, an isosceles triangle. Version B is a narrower, asymmetrical shawl making the most of a smaller amount of yarn.

One skein of sock yarn (400 meters) results in a small equal-sided triangle perfect for a neck scarf. The same amount of yarn worked according to chart B makes for a longer triangle where one end can be wrapped around more than once. A heavier yarn like Wollmeise DK adds warmth and shows off the two different textures nicely. Or choose a larger amount of lace weight yarn (600 to 800 meters) on big crochet hook and enjoy the airiness.

Note about size
With a plain old skein of sock yarn (420 meters) and a 4.5 mm hook working chart A I got a small shawl with about 135 cm wingspan and 60 cm depth.

A note about yarns:
The sideways construction with lacy and solid sections works nicely in both semi-solid/solid or striped yarns. Although I would probably refrain from using sock yarns that make narrow stripes in a sock. They will probably end up blotchy. But color gradients and long color repeats work nicely with the construction as well as the crochet.